Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and for many individuals this brings thoughts of romantic cards, chocolates, and flowers. This all sounds good. And it is. But this Valentine’s Day I am reflecting on how much more love is than the red hearts and candy.
I had the chance to speak to a group yesterday about mentoring. We talked about the qualities of a good mentor which included being knowledgeable, flexible, and supportive. But a theme emerged that had little, if anything, to do with the knowledge required to be a mentor. The group agreed that one of the most important qualities of a good mentor was the ability to make the person feel included, welcome, and connected. Would you agree?
That got me thinking. There are many ways we can show love to another person with nothing to do with romantic love. Making somebody feel comfortable in a new environment or easing their stress as they try and learn the ins and outs of a new job are ways of demonstrating love or empathy for another person. We’ve all been that new person on the job or in a group. It can be very stressful. Everything is new. Everybody else seems to know each other. Breaking up may be hard to do but breaking into a group can be difficult too.
What do you think? What is one way this next week you can demonstrate love intentionally? Is there somebody new at your job you could take under your wing? Are you the person that everyone feels comfortable talking to or the one with the ready smile? Are you the peacemaker that might have the chance to diffuse a tense situation between two co-workers, family members, or friends? There are so many ways we can bring love into the world. One way I’m trying to love intentionally is to be more fully present. I have gotten into a bad habit of checking email constantly. I am trying to be more fully present throughout my day.
We all have a unique gift or superpower that we can use to love those around us intentionally. It’s part of who we are so using it doesn’t require learning a new skill. It may require us to rediscover it if we’ve lost sight of all we have to offer. But once you start looking, you will realize you’ve been using your superpower all your life and you just didn’t realize it. One of my favorite quotes is from Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers Neighborhood), “If you could only sense how important you are to the people you meet; how important you can be to people you may not even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person.”
Each one of us is a gift to ourselves and those around us.
This Valentine’s Day, let’s be intentional about love. Start by celebrating you and the gift you are just because you are. Let others know they are a gift too. Look for ways to use your gifts intentionally because you never know whose life you will make a difference in each day.